BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A packed audience, comprised mostly of students from six Birmingham high schools, attended a "Know Your Rights" panel discussion held today, Sept. 29, 2016, at the Springville Road Regional Library.

For 90 minutes, Patrick Bishop of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Birmingham Police Officer Larry D. Foster, and Jefferson County District Judge Shera Grant shared tips for the public on how to act properly when pulled over by law enforcement, and what your rights are at traffic stops. They also answered questions from the audience, many frustrated about incidents across the country in which police officers have fatally shot African-Americans.

The panel discussion was designed to spark a community conversation designed to provide answers on how to react and interact with law enforcement, said Lutheria Jackson, library assistant III who coordinated the program. She said Springville Road Regional Library hopes to host more “Know Your Rights” discussions in the near future.

Jackson said she came up with the idea for “Know Your Rights” in the wake of hearing of many incidents across the country in which people have been fatally shot after encountering police. She hopes the conversation will help build better relationships between public citizens and law enforcement.

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